“Immunisation Week” a “reminder of how fortunate we are in NZ”

Immunisation Week is “a chance for New Zealanders to reflect on how lucky we are”, says Katherine Smith, the spokeswoman for No Forced Vaccines, a group that opposes forced or coerced vaccination.

“New Zealanders are fortunate in that parents who want their children to be vaccinated are able to access the vaccines recommended by the Ministry of Health for free, thus helping to ensure equitable access to this service, regardless of family income,” Smith says. Free vaccines and government promotion of vaccination have resulted in NZ having a record high vaccination rate for young children.

“On the other side of the equation,” Smith notes “New Zealand parents’ rights to make decisions about vaccination are respected by the government” and if “parents decide against vaccination, or for their children to have some, but not all recommended vaccinations, they are able to make this choice.”